Tafseer Ibn Kathir of HUUD [96]

96.  And indeed We sent Musa with Our Ayat and a manifest authority. 97. To Fir`awn and his chiefs, but they followed the command of Fir`awn, and the command of Fir`awn was no right guide. 98. He will go ahead of his people on the Day of Resurrection, and will lead them into the Fire, and evil indeed is the place to which they are led. 99. They were pursued by a curse in this (deceiving life of this world) and (so they will be pursued by a curse) on the Day of Resurrection, evil indeed is the gift granted. In these verses Allah informs of His sending Musa with His signs and clear proofs to Fir'awn, the king of the Coptic people, and his chiefs.

(but they followed the command of Fir`awn.) This means that they followed his path, way and methodology in transgression.

(and the command of Fir`awn was no right guide.) This means there was no right guidance in it. It was only ignorance, misguidance, disbelief and stubbornness. Just as they followed him in this life and he was their leader and chief, likewise he will lead them to the Hellfire on the Day of Resurrection. He will lead them directly to it and they will drink from springs of destruction. Fir`awn will have a great share in that awful punishment. This is as Allah, the Exalted, said,

(But Fir`awn disobeyed the Messenger; so We seized him with a severe punishment.)ï´¿73:16ï´¾ Allah also said,

(But Fir`awn belied and disobeyed. Then he turned his back, striving (against Allah). Then he gathered (his people) and cried aloud, Saying: ”I am your lord, most high.'' So Allah, seized him with exemplary punishment for his last and first transgression. Verily, in this is an instructive admonition for whosoever fears Allah.)﴿79:21-26﴾ Allah also said,

(He will go ahead of his people on the Day of Resurrection, and will lead them into the Fire, and evil indeed is the place to which they are led.) This will be the condition of those who were followed. They will have a great share of the punishment on the Day of Resurrection. This is as Allah says,

(For each one there is double (torment), but you know not.) ï´¿7:38ï´¾ Allah also says that the disbelievers will say while they are in the Hellfire,

(”Our Lord! Verily, we obeyed our chiefs and our great ones, and they misled us from the (right) way. Our Lord! Give them double torment.'') ﴿33:67-68﴾ Concerning the statement,

(They were pursued by a curse in this (deceiving life of this world) and (so they will be pursued by a curse) on the Day of Resurrection. ) meaning, `We have made them to be followed by something more than the punishment of the Fire and that is their being cursed in this life.'

(and on the Day of Resurrection, evil is the gift granted.) Mujahid said, ”Another curse will be added to them on the Day of Resurrection, so these are two curses.'' `Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas said,

(evil indeed is the gift granted.) ”The curse of this life and the Hereafter.'' Ad-Dahhak and Qatadah both said the same thing. This is similar to Allah's statement,

(And We made them leaders inviting to the Fire: and on the Day of Resurrection, they will not be helped. And We made a curse to follow them in this world, and on the Day of Resurrection, they will be among the despised.)ï´¿28:41-42ï´¾ Allah also says,

(The Fire, they are exposed to it, morning and afternoon. And on the Day when the Hour will be established (it will be said to the angels): ”Cause Fir`awn's people to enter the severest torment!'')﴿40:46﴾